Setting the StageThe world has never been a safe place. Bastions of civilization populate a dark menacing world ? islands of order and reason exist in a land otherwise overrun by dark cults, vile monsters, creatures from the dark edges of the imagination, and worse. As deadly as the world is on a normal day, something has begun to stir in the fringes of the civilized Elsir Vale. The site of an attack by an army known as the Red Hand forty years ago, the Vale has known several decades of peace since the forces of order sent the dreaded foes scurrying back into the darkness.

But the peace of Elsir Vale ? and specifically, the town of Brindol, heart of the former conflict with the Red Hand, has been shattered. Lately the locals have been experiencing a vague shadow of unease. Soon Bristol will find itself once more in need of brave heroes willing to come to the aid of their citizens.

BrindolThe Town of Brindol has a population of about 7000 and another 1000 live within a five-mile radius of the town. The people of Brindol are mostly humans, half-elves, and dwarves. The town?s population swells by several hundred during the yearly autumn fair. The town is governed by a council, most of whom are hereditary landowners and the rest are guild masters. Lord Warden Harrik Orenna is the public face of the council and commanded of the city militia. The town has about 200 soldiers under arms with about one quarter on duty at any given time. There are several inns, taverns, guilds, and temples.

I thought the encounter in the crypt guardian chamber was particularly, how shall I say it, "cinematic." Lots of good action, quick thinking, and some drama. So I wrote it up as a vignette on EnWord. Enjoy.